Best Sulfate Free Shampoo for Curly Hair

Your Guide To Finding The Best Sulfate Free Shampoo For Curly Hair

If you have curly hair, finding the best shampoo and conditioner is important for maintaining your luscious curls. Sulfate free products prevent damage to your hair and color damage. These shampoos won’t irritate your skin or cause the loss of essential oils that maintain your healthy head of curls. So, with so many options available, how can you find the best sulfate free shampoo for curly hair?

Ever scanned the ingredient list on a bottle of shampoo? There are so many difficult-to-pronounce terms on the label that reading it can induce a major headache. However, there’s one shampoo ingredient, in particular, you’ve probably heard some buzz about sulfates.

What are Sulfates?

According to Dr. Shani Francis, MD, dermatologist and hair loss specialist, sulfates are harsh chemicals in many personal health products that are used as cleaning agents and to produce foam. Sulfates usually show as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate or SLS as one of the ingredients in shampoos.
Sulfates and other parabens are added to shampoo to remove excess grease in hair strands, dissolve oil, and give the formula that frothy, foamy quality. Since they wash away the hair’s natural oils, sulfates can also dry hair strands, irritate the scalp, and, damage to the hair’s outer layer.

While you’re shopping for shampoo as an effective hair care solution, keep an eye out for these sulfate ingredients and make sure you avoid them. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), ammonium lauryl, sulfate (ALS), and sodium Laureth sulfate (SLES) are all harmful chemicals that will damage your curly hair. For more on sulfate free shampoos and conditioners, check out our ultimate guide. PS, if you have fine hair, you’ll want to check out these shampoos instead.
We’ve conducted research to determine the best sulfate free shampoo products for curly hair.

L’Oreal Paris created this shampoo with 100% vegan ingredients for excellent hair care and natural shine. It’s designed to keep your curls soft and manageable without turning them to frizz. It’s also paraben-free in addition to sulfate free, and it doesn’t include any harsh salts in the moisturizing shampoo. Your hair gets cleaned, nourished, and hydrated, so your curls don’t get weighed down. Additionally, the natural botanicals and aromas keep your hair smelling great throughout the day.

The Curly Sexy Hair curl defining shampoo has properties that strengthen and hydrate wavy hair and treated hair. None of the ingredients contain sulfate or gluten that can result in dry hair. It’s made with panthenol, proteins, and jojoba oils that enhance the natural shine and glow of your hair. If you have thick curls, this product makes it easier for you to manage your hair and reduce frizz on a daily basis. Furthermore, Curly Sexy Hair shampoo will also keep your hair soft.

The Jamaican Black Castor Oil moisturizing shampoo from Shea Moisture promotes hair growth by nourishing you hairs while they get cleaned. All the sulfate-free shampoo’s ingredients are organic, natural, and ethically sourced. The formula is also color-safe, so it won’t pull the colors or fade your hair. Shea Moisture has been around since 1912, so they are a reputable company that knows how to create natural hair products. Using this shampoo will keep your curls strong without harming your hair.

Baebody Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo is made with a variety of oils, a UV-protective filter, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, and vitamin B6. This shampoo is perfect for colored hair and brings back the hair’s natural oils. So, if you get your hair colored at a salon, this shampoo will keep your hair color vibrant between your appointments. All of the ingredients are sulfate free, silicone free, and paraben free. The argan oil keeps your skin nourished and moisturized, which is great if your skin is aging and has lots of sun exposure. The oils also ensure that your curls are still soft and supple. If you have naturally oily hair, you may want to skip this one and try one of the other shampoos on our list. Still, this is one of the best choices for sulfate and silicone free shampoo for curly hair.

Honeydew Natural Daily Shampoo is great for people with thick curls. It’s also designed to soften, strengthen, moisturize, and condition African American hair, and people with similar hair color and texture. It’s appropriate for men, women, and children that have thick curls. The shampoo is sulfate free and will not damage the dark color of your natural hair. The bottle is BPA safe and recyclable and the shampoo ingredients are vegetarian and vegan, thus making it one of the best sulfate and silicone free shampoos for curly hair.

MopTop Shampoo is salon quality moisturizing shampoo and recommended by cosmetologists for curly hair. It restores moisture to your dry and damaged hair while cleansing and retaining the hairs shine. MopTop included natural ingredients such as honey, aloe, and sea botanicals to create this unique formula that’s safe for all hair textures and types. The lavender mint scent creates a pleasant aroma that keeps your hair smelling fresh all day. Thankfully, your curls will stay healthy because this gentle shampoo won’t cause any damage.

If you live in an area where the humidity is impacting and impairing your ability to manage your curls, this TRESemme hair care shampoo can help. The enriched vitamins keep your hair moist to untangle and prevent frizz caused by humid weather. In addition, your hair will stay soft since the formula hydrates your curls. You can use this shampoo with other hair products as well without having to worry about compatibility or damaging your hair. All of the ingredients are sulfate free, which keeps your curls healthy and looking great. All of these advantages from one of the best sulfate-free shampoo for curly frizzy hair.

There is Vitamin B5 in this Winsome & Wisdom formula, which keeps your hair moisturized and makes it more pliable to maintain a natural look and feel. The moisturizing shampoo is also made with cucumber and marigold to hydrate your curls, prevent frizz, and remove impurities while cleaning and leaving behind a natural shine. There are not any sulfates or paraben ingredients in this shampoo, so you do not need to worry about your hair and or scalp drying out. Your hair will stay strong, thick, and shiny if you use the Supernatural Shampoo from Winsome & Wisdom. Using this product won’t damage or pull the colors from your hair.

The Alterna Caviar formula restores old, dry, and brittle hair. Your hair will look healthy like it did years ago in your youth. The shampoo also protects against color, so you won’t have to worry about any fading or damage. It cleans with sulfate-free ingredients that moisturize your hair to maintain curls. Also, the product is made in the USA and doesn’t contain any parabens, sodium chloride, or gluten that can damage your hair.

Garnier Fructis created this alcohol-free shampoo for curly hair without any sulfates or silicone ingredients. Instead, it’s made from coconut oil, jojoba oil, and macadamia oil, which creates a gentle formula and won’t remove the natural moisture of your hair. These nourishing properties create strong and smooth curls without any frizz. Therefore, your hair will stay healthy since the active fruit proteins promote growth and texture. Simply, one of the best sulfate free shampoo and conditioner for curly hair in the market today.

Final Review of the Best Non-Sulfate Shampoo for Curly Hair

All of these products will keep your hair strong and healthy (along with others listed here). So if you have curls, you should consider these as options while shopping for your next shampoo. Sulfates damage your hair, which people with curls can’t afford. Make sure to only use sulfate free shampoo on your curly hair. You may also want to consider these sulfate-free conditioners that can improve hair health drastically.

7 COMMENTS

[…] If you have naturally curly locks, you are more prone to the effects of sulfates. Due to the structure of curly hair, it tends to be naturally drier than non-curly hair. When sulfates are introduced, they extract what’s left of the moisture and make your beautiful curls rigid, dry, and brittle. If you have curly hair, it’s better to wash your hair less, not more. Click here for sulfate free shampoos for curly hair. […]

[…] Condition, clean, nourish and repair curls with peppermint, keratin, apple cider vinegar and Shea butter that you will find in this conditioner. Did you just dye your hair black or blonde? This is ideal for heat treated, color treated or permed hair. The creme formula also works to remove any impurities in your hair without over stripping. It will re-balance your hair’s moisture naturally leaving it looking healthy, shiny and full of life. Additionally, more sulfate-free products for curly hair in-particular can be found here. […]

[…] This shampoo is very effective in preventing and treating hair frizz. It is a sulfate-free anti-frizz shampoo. It is equally great in smoothing the hair, hence its name. The shampoo not only makes the hair frizz-free and smooth but it also makes it shiny. It protects the hair color from fading which may be caused by harsh weather condition. This brand also is featured in our post, Best Shampoos For Curly Hair. […]